Kick For A Million finalist Rich Pope goes from kicking footballs to tires

Lunney — Nov. 15, 2012

Rich Pope picked up a new Nissan truck on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Pope, the multimedia editor at the Winnipeg Sun, kicked his way to a tidy payday at TSN Wendy’s Kick For A Million event at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 19, taking home a $25,000 gift card from The Source, a Nissan Titan PRO-4X pickup truck and $42,000 cash. (Doug Lunney, Winnipeg Sun)

The Motorcycle Ride for Dad Canada announced Nov. 14, 2012, that Ed Johner is the recipient of the 2012 President’s Award. Johner, seen here on May 21, 2010, was selected for his work with the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Manitoba Chapter. The President’s Award is presented each year to one volunteer. (MARCEL CRETAIN/Winnipeg Sun files)

Marcel Cretain

Rich Pope picked up a new Nissan truck on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Pope, the multimedia editor at the Winnipeg Sun, kicked his way to a tidy payday at TSN Wendy's Kick For A Million event at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 19, taking home a $25,000 gift card from The Source, a Nissan Titan PRO-4X pickup truck and $42,000 cash. (Doug Lunney, Winnipeg Sun)

Doug Lunney, Winnipeg Sun

Rich Pope picked up a new Nissan truck on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Pope, the multimedia editor at the Winnipeg Sun, kicked his way to a tidy payday at TSN Wendy's Kick For A Million event at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 19, taking home a $25,000 gift card from The Source, a Nissan Titan PRO-4X pickup truck and $42,000 cash. (Doug Lunney, Winnipeg Sun)

Doug Lunney, Winnipeg Sun

Rich Pope picked up a new Nissan truck on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Pope, the multimedia editor at the Winnipeg Sun, kicked his way to a tidy payday at TSN Wendy's Kick For A Million event at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 19, taking home a $25,000 gift card from The Source, a Nissan Titan PRO-4X pickup truck and $42,000 cash. Pictured (from left) are Wendy's regional training manager Ron Raghoo, Wendy's franchisee Tim MacLeod, Pope, and Nick Guffei, sales manager at Vickar Nissan. (Doug Lunney, Winnipeg Sun)

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Rich Pope picked up an awesome new Nissan truck on Wednesday — just for kicks.

Pope kicked his way to a tidy payday at TSN Wendy’s Kick For A Million event at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 19, taking home a $25,000 gift card from The Source, a Nissan Titan PRO-4X pickup truck and $42,000 cash.

Pope, the multimedia editor at the Winnipeg Sun, was handed the keys to the truck Wednesday at Vickar Nissan on Regent Avenue by Ron Raghoo and Tim MacLeod of Wendy’s, and Vickar’s sales manager Nick Guffei.

“When I started it up to take it out of the dealership — just the sound of it — I was thinking, Wow! That sure doesn’t sound like my old Saturn,” a grinning Pope said.

“I’ve never owned a truck, so to have one this big — just look at the tires. I think one of its tires is worth more than my car.

“In Winnipeg winters, this is going to come in handy.”

One of Pope’s first stops will be at The Source to use his gift card.

“I haven’t gone to The Source yet, but now I can haul electronics in the truck,” he said. “It was going to be hard to fit a flat screen TV in my old car.”

The truck, which boasts a 5.6-litre V8 engine, is the first 2013 Pro-4X in Winnipeg.

“It has some great features,” Guffei said, “It has the locking rear differential, and some nice upgrades for 2013 with the rear backup camera and a little bit different design for the tailgate. It’s pretty unique.”

Pope missed the final 50-yard attempt, which would have earned him $1 million. He previously made the 20-and 30-yarders, winning the gift card and the truck, before missing left on a 40-yard attempt for $100,000 cash. The 35-year-old earned $42,000 for kicking the ball 42 yards in the air on the final 50-yard attempt.

To enter the competition, Pope’s name was selected in a draw that included more than 14 million entries.

KUDOS FOR ED

A local cancer survivor has received a national award for his contributions to the fight against prostate cancer.

Garry Janz, president of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Canada, announced Wednesday that Ed Johner is the recipient of the 2012 President’s Award. Johner was selected for his work with the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Manitoba Chapter.

The President’s Award is presented each year to one volunteer, who not only helped lead their chapters to achieving remarkable success, but also chose to incorporate their passion for fighting prostate cancer and the Ride For Dad in their daily lives.

Johner is one of the founding members of the local event, which has raised nearly $400,000 since 2009.

In 2007, at age 49, he was diagnosed with prostate and kidney cancer after an elevated prostate cancer PSA test prompted a full exam. Through successful treatment, Johner has been cancer free for five years.

The Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad began in 2009 and has raised nearly $400,000 for prostate cancer research.

“His personal experience is a very hard thing to talk about, but what keeps him going is he knows he is getting the word out and helping others and their families in the process,” said Kirk Van Alstyne, co-chair of the Manitoba ride. “Every year he gets pulled in many directions representing the cause. This year alone he conducted over 20 media interviews, creating greater awareness for the early detection of prostate cancer.”